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Thursday, March 15, 2018

Here in New England, we've weathered three (3!) Nor'Easters all within the span of a few weeks...and supposedly there's another one looming on the horizon next week. And ummm...it's MARCH, dammit.

But in the spirit of being optimistic (because that's soooooo me) let's just skip right over spring and think about SUMMER! The sun, the warmth, the drinks, the BEACH! And what does one wear to the beach? Why of course, you don your best string bikini from Victoria's Secret, right? (Again, that's sooooo me.)

Up first we have this creative tye-dye number. It's a DIY'er! Grab your tightest tee, cut the shit out of it, and go to town with the dye! Hey, have your kids help you!

Ummm, either this is a great breastfeeding suit (just untie and whip out the boob), or a horribly dangerous idea (small children, easy lace to untie with little fingers and then boom, you look down and you're exposed). Kids these days!

Remember Cats Cradle that we used to do with yarn/string in the 80's? This is the bathing suit equivalent.

Mom truth: The sides of my legs up to my waist are NOT the most flattering area on my bod. I feel like my skin would totally try to escape that netting and would bulge out the sides. Not a good look.

Does this model have nipples? Where are they?!

Victoria finally came up with an educational bathing suit: Here kids, it's time to learn to tie. Lie down on Momma's back and practice!

Friday, June 30, 2017

Curated just for you - to kick off this summer as you're laying peacefully by the pool or relaxing on the sand near the ocean...

Which?? Hahahahaha, that's funny, right Moms??!

This is probably way more realistic:

Anyway, if there's a slight chance that you *do* have some downtime, here are my recommendations for your summer reading pleasure:

YOUNG ADULT:

Wonder is such a quick but heartwarming read. It will tug at your parental heartstrings. Also, it's going to be made into a movie, so definitely read the book first (always my rule of thumb).

eleanor & parkis a pleasant surprise, I promise. It's a quirky teen love story set in 1986.

I remember reading this and feeling so sorry for Sutter Keely, the protagonist of The Spectacular Now. He's a cocky, yet insecure teenager whose actions are often cringeworthy. It is more of a heavy read for a YA book, but worth it! This was also made into a movie, but I haven't watched it.

FAST-PACED THRILLERS:

I have 3 words to describe YOU(the book! Not *you*): creepy, weird and compelling. This is one you will have trouble putting down. It's a stalker-filled beach read. And apparently, there's a sequel called Hidden Bodies. I have not read it yet though. Hopefully this summer!

Behind Closed Doors is one of my most recent favorite reads. Don't be surprised if this is one you can't put down. The title of the book says it all - that you never know what goes on...behind closed doors. (cue creepy music).

Wreckage is a book where you *think* you have figured out what happens...but you're probably wrong. It's about a plane crash survivor, her survival experience, the family she left behind, and the family she comes back home to. This one isn't necessary fast-paced, but it's completely enthralling.

By one of my favorite authors,The Guest Room is about a bachelor party gone very, VERY wrong.THE OPPOSITE OF LIGHT AND FLUFFY:

We Need to Talk About Kevin is a difficult, yet worthwhile read about the mother of a murderer. It is creatively written, yet eerie and compelling and uncomfortable. This is also a movie, that to be honest, I think I would have a hard time watching.

I don't know how many times I've raved about and recommended A Little Life, but it's quite a lot. This one is not for the faint of heart. It's beyond heavy, but oh so poignant. The writing is phenomenal. The characters (especially the main character, Jude) are memorable. If at first you're not into it, I promise you, just keep reading.

TEARJERKERS:

You can't read fly away without reading firefly lane first. Powerful stories of lifelong friendship. I most definitely cried at the end of firefly lane.

If you liked Me Before You, you'll love Dancing on Broken Glass even more. A heartbreaking love story that will definitely have you reaching for your beach towel to wipe your streaming teardrops.

JUST PLAIN GOOD READS:

I think you'll find that A Reliable Wife is a pleasant surprise. With its setting in the early 1900's, you expect it to be stodgy and buttoned-up, when it's actually just the opposite! The sex and scandal are delightful!

I remember being obsessed in high school with the stories of Charles Manson and the Helter Skelter murders, so The Girls, for me, was very reminiscent of that time period and the cult mentality. I couldn't put this one down.

Thursday, June 22, 2017

---E-mail from my husband to me, today, on only the THIRD day of summer vacation for the boyz, as both of us, from work, were trying to figure out who was getting who to baseball, who was going to what party tonight, who was getting a ride with who, and maybe, just maybe, squeeze in dinner tonight? Like at some point, maybe we can eat?

They are now 15-1/2, 13 and (almost) 12. No need for a babysitter. Like we had with my mother for many, manysummers.

We don't even need to pay someone to be a *body* anymore. Just to make sure they don't microwave aluminum foil or physically harm each other. They hopefully know better...and what I don't know while I'm at work is fine by me, as long as the house resembles a home and not a frat house when I return. They are aware that if there is an emergency to call their father 911.

And they certainly already know how to call Domino's Pizza, as evidenced by the empty pizza box on Tuesday. Apparently there was a lunchtime delivery. Paid for by Middle with birthday money. I'm not sure what the other 2 owe him for that, or how they convinced him to spend his money. I didn't ask.

Yes, there are still chore charts. (4 years and counting of them!) Obviously, the responsibilities on those charts have gotten a bit more involved, yet I still find myself writing down BRUSH YOUR TEETH as a task. (Does this ever end?)

But here's the difference that we're noticing this year. They are now teens and pre-teens with active social lives and activities. They are constantly connected to their friends via Snapchat, Facetime and texts.

On days 1 and 2 of summer vacation, I was already getting bombarded with requests to go all the places and do all the things. So today, I took the offensive and forewarned them:

Thursday, June 01, 2017

Hi there! Time sure does fly when you have 3 boys playing baseball...on FIVE different teams! Thankfully we're in the home stretch now. (I say that, but does it really ever end? Baseball goes into football which goes into basketball which goes into baseball...)

Anywho, here's some of my recent faves:

These suckers are addictive! A little salty, a little sweet...they just started getting them at my work.(We have "hubs" on each floor of TripAdvisor filled with drinks and snacks for the taking...among all the other numerous perks!)

This Burberry primer is (a bit pricey but) so silky smooth! I received a sample of it from Sephora and was instantly hooked. I've been using it all spring as a compliment to my baseball tan. You will completely love how it makes you glow.

Another sample I received from Sephora was this Philosophy serum. I've been kinda obsessed with serums lately, and this one is the best I've found thus far. The smell is amazing and it really does make your face feel fabulous and smooth. I'm having a hard time with the price point though, so I haven't pulled the trigger and bought a full-size bottle...yet.

I knew I wouldn't be disappointed when I started binge-watching this. Is there anyone who doesn't like this show? However, Mr. Donovan and I need to break up for a bit, because I need to watch the new seasons of Bloodline, House of Cards, and OITNB first. But I will be back, Liev, don't you worry. (Does anyone else think he sort of looks like Jax from Vanderpump Rules?! Am I right?)

I'm trying to get back into running. It started with making a goal to run at least one race a month. In conjunction with the running, I needed some good running motivation. Enter the Spotify app, which I was unaware of until my 15yr old introduced it to me. After hours of searching for all types of good tunes, I made my own running playlist that I LOVE! It definitely helps so much when I venture out for a run.

How cute are these?! They're my new favorite shoes and will be worn LOTS this summer! They look so great with white capris and a black top.

As far as summer reading is concerned, I am always on the hunt for my next great read. Follow me on Goodreads to see what I'm reading and what I'm wanting to read next!

Wednesday, April 05, 2017

Here in New England at this time of the year, the weather is certainly not something to be loving. Safe to say, I think we're all pretty much over it.

Instead of focusing on the crap weather, let's instead turn to fun!things! to cheer us all up, ok?

~ I could spend hourrrrrrrrrrs in a Sephora store, just browsing. I'm always hesitant to buy because I feel like I apply makeup with the expertise of a toddler, but I'm *trying* to get better. In that respect, I enjoy finding new products that work for me and my schedule: I'm up at the ass crack of dawn to exercise, I shower at work, and then I hide at my desk and wait until I'm cooled down for a bit before I spackle some paint on my face.

~Stitchfix has been hit or miss for me over the years, so we have lately been on a break while I attempt to navigate shopping in REAL stores and TRYING THINGS ON. But I just got one, and it was winner winner chicken dinner! Instead of being depressed by the things that my stylist sent (too small, too tight, too NOT ME), my 5 pieces were curated by someone who "got" me! I kept a great top and a spectacular chunky silver bracelet, and am excited to try Stitchfix again. Word of advice: if you do sign up (the link I provided is an affiliate link), be VERY SPECIFIC on your style wants/needs/likes/dislikes!

~Binge-worthy (only 2 seasons thus far!):

Have you guys seen this?! It's an Amazon show that's hilariously irreverent about a couple who ends up together after a (more than) one night stand. I find myself laughing out loud throughout the episodes and am so glad I found this hidden gem! Anxiously awaiting Season 3...

~Ever heard of a HIIT workout? It stands for high intensity interval training and is an effective way of burning the most calories in the shortest amount of time. Enter Metafit. It's a new class/fitness craze that I decided to take on Monday nights. Holy sweat. And although the workouts are short (between 18-24 minutes), you feel like you want.to.die.

~ My friend introduced me to the Facebook page Living in Yellow, and oh man, you should see the contents of my Nordstrom cart these days...especially the shoes! Love love love her style and fashion finds. Unfortunately my wallet doesn't, so I will continue to add things to my cart and lovingly stare at them without purchasing. (That's not weird at all, right?)

~ Believe it or not, I stopped drinking Coke Zero at the beginning of 2017 and haven't really looked back. I've had an occasional Diet Coke here and there (maybe 5 total), but am trying to stay away. I don't drink tea or coffee, but I still wanted needed caffeine. Thankfully my work has this natural caffeine water that I've been living on.

~ Currently bingeing:

I read this YA book one summer, and was excited to find out that Netflix made it a series. Just started it, but can tell it's going to be good. But I highly recommend (always!) reading the book first.

~ Girls' Weekends. Recently just came back from a spectacular weekend away *in Vegas* with my 4 girlfriends. Really, it wouldn't have mattered where we were, because having that time away from our daily lives and routines and worries and work and families and stresses is always special and not to be taken for granted. But being in Vegas definitely made it all the more unique. It is such a comfort knowing that I have these priceless friendships, no matter what.

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

The days when all 3 of them had coordinated pajama sets from Carters. Or Baby Gap. Or Children's Place.

(I was quite partial to those fleece one-piece footie pajamas. Umm..also? This is Middle standing up at 7 MONTHS OLD. And at this time, I was already 4 months pregnant with Youngest. OMG)

The days of little boy bare feet.

The days of blankies and thumbs.

When bedtime was a set-in-stone routine of baths, pajamas, and stories. When there were nighttime cuddles and I was able to sniff freshly shampooed hair.

I used to talk about sleep a LOT on this blog. As a matter of fact, as I was searching for pictures for this post, I found 153 (!) blog posts that reference "sleep"; 89 blog posts that talk about "naps"; and 49 blog posts with the word "crib".

It used to be a big deal back in those days when I was sleep-deprived and frustrated and just wanting them to SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT and GROW UP ALREADY.

But now?

There are no coordinated pajamas. It's tee shirts and shorts worn to bed.

Sadly, there are no more cuddles. No more bedtime stories. No more hair to sniff or cute little boy feet. (Instead there's big boy smelly feet with unkempt toenails and TOE HAIR. When did my babies get TOE HAIR?!)

No more blankets or thumbs. Instead it's a quick "g'night Mom" from all 3 with a quick peck on the cheek, and off they go.

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

How timely! While most of the Northeast is experiencing this March winter storm, we can thank our lucky stars for Victoria and her secrets! So get your wallets ready ladies, it's time to go bathing suit shopping...

First up, we have the g-string....except it's not on your butt. Because who doesn't want a thong tan line ON THEIR BACK?*****

Somehow I feel like these bottoms wouldn't look the same on me. I mean, what with my thigh/hip fat bulging through that netting like Jack Nicholson in The Shining.

*****

For those of you who are a bit more modest, may I offer you Victoria's Secret version of a mock turtleneck?

*****

This bathing suit brought to you by 1985, your curly permed hair, and a ball of yarn. (And for that extra special bonus, you get underboob tan lines!)

*****

Because sometimes you just gotta harness those tatas!*****

The bigger your boobs, the harder those poor strings have to work.*****